Army Acquires “Early Operational” 500km Breakthrough Precision Strike Missiles

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

“Outranging the enemy” were the words used by an Army flag officer when describing the concepts of operation informing the rapid development and deployment of a new generation of ground-fired weapons …. Such as the now-arriving Precision Strike Missile. (PrSM)

Indeed range, coupled with precision, speed, guidance targeting technology and various kinds of energetics and explosives are merely a few of the defining characteristics of the next-generation long-range strike weapon. Not long ago, the Army awarded PrSM-maker Lockheed a $219 million deal to produce more Early Operational Capability (EOC) weapons for the service. While many of the specifics related to the PrSM are not available for security reasons, weapons specs from both the Army and Lockheed Martin explain the weapon has a maximum range of 400 to 499 km, a breakthrough reach for a high-speed precision missile. The weapon is also compatible with HIMARS launchers and capable of launching from M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems,

“The Precision Strike Missile will provide Joint Force commanders with a 24/7, all-weather capability that will counter the enemy’s ability to conduct combat maneuver and air defense operations,” said Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. “The rapid development and delivery of this capability is a prime example of the Army’s aggressive use of new acquisition authorities from Congress that allow us to move at much greater speed to get improved equipment to Soldiers.”

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PrSM & Combat Maneuver

Bush’s reference to the term “combat maneuver” seems quite significant, as longer-range weapons not only allow greater stand-off attack range but also enable forces to reposition within a larger protective envelope of fires. In operational terms, this can translate into forward reconnaissance or small unit targeted attacks. Additionally, mechanized formations might be capable of moving closer to contact with an enemy to “close” on a position beneath the protective fire of a 499km-ranged PrSM weapon.